Apparatus for use in exercising a person&#39;s calves

ABSTRACT

Apparatus ( 2 ) for use in exercising a person&#39;s calves ( 4 ), which apparatus ( 2 ) comprises a footrest ( 6 ), a kneerest ( 8 ), a length of stretchable material ( 10 ) extending between the footrest ( 6 ) and the kneerest ( 8 ), and fastener means ( 28 ) for fastening the length of stretchable material ( 10 ), and the apparatus ( 2 ) being such that in use and with the person ( 12 ) in a seated position then the front part of the person&#39;s feet ( 16 ) rests on the footrest ( 6 ) to retain the footrest ( 6 ) on a floor, the kneerest ( 8 ) rests on the person&#39;s knees ( 20 ), the length of stretchable material ( 10 ) is stretched when the person ( 12 ) pivots the rear part of their feet ( 16 ) upwardly with respect to the footrest ( 6 ); the fastener means ( 28 ) comprises a clamp ( 36 ); the clamp ( 36 ) is secured to the kneerest ( 8 ); and the clamp ( 36 ) comprises a clamping bar ( 64 ), a pair of guide rods ( 66 ) on which the clamping bar ( 64 ) slides, and a handle ( 54 ).

This invention relates to exercise apparatus and, more especially, this invention relates to apparatus for exercising a person's calves.

Known apparatus for use in exercising a person's calves is mainly in the form of machines which are constructed for use in gymnasiums. There is very little known apparatus which is marketed for home use. Furthermore, the apparatus which is marketed for home use has an attached seat which increases the cost of the apparatus and also the area required for storage of the apparatus.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in exercising a person's calves, which apparatus comprises a footrest, a, kneerest, a length of stretchable material extending between the footrest and the kneerest, and fastener means for fastening the length of stretchable material, and the apparatus being such that:

-   -   (i) in use and with the person in a seated position then the         front part of the person's feet rests on the footrest to retain         the footrest on a floor, the kneerest rests on the person's         knees, the length of stretchable material is stretched when the         person pivots the rear part of their feet upwardly with respect         to the footrest, the length of stretchable material contracts         when the person pivots the rear part of their feet downwardly         with respect to the footrest, and the stretching of the length         of stretchable material requires effort from the person's calves         which thereby exercises the person's calves;     -   (ii) the fastener means fastens the length of stretchable         material such that prior to use the length of stretchable         material provides a fixed distance between the footrest and the         kneerest, the fixed distance being that distance required by the         person to provide the required effort during use of the         apparatus when the person is pivoting the rear part of their         feet upwardly with respect to the footrest;     -   (iii) the fastener means comprises a clamp;     -   (iv) the clamp is secured to the kneerest; and     -   (v) the clamp comprises a clamping bar, a pair of guide rods on         which the clamping bar slides, a handle, and a screw threaded         shaft which is connected to the clamping bar and the handle such         that rotation of the handle one way causes the clamping bar to         clamp the length of stretchable material with respect to the         kneerest, and rotation of the handle the opposite way causes the         clamping bar to unclamp the length of stretchable material.

The apparatus of the present invention is advantageous in that it is able to be constructed to be both small and light, and it does not require an attached seat. The apparatus is thus ideal for use in a home or office. The apparatus of the present invention is also advantageous in that it is able to be constructed to be easily storable in a minimum of space, for example in a drawer in a home or office. The apparatus can be used by persons wishing to exercise their calves for the purpose of developing their calf muscles. Such persons may be interested in building up the size of their calf muscles, or simply interested in maintaining mobility of the calf part of their legs. The apparatus is also useful for persons suffering mobility problems, especially of the lower leg where regular exercising of their calves may be medically beneficial. When the apparatus is used for medical purposes, it may be used privately in a home or office, or it may be used under supervision in a nursing home, care centre, or hospital. The clamp is secured to the kneerest so that the clamp is readily available for use. The clamp is easy to operate, and effective in clamping the length of stretchable material.

The apparatus may be one in which the clamp comprises a base member, in which the guide rods extend from the base member towards the handle, and in which the clamping bar clamps the length of stretchable material between the clamping bar and the base member.

The apparatus may be one in which the screw threaded shaft is connected to the clamping bar by a connecting formation which is mounted at an end of the screw threaded shaft remote from the handle, and which rotates with respect to the screw threaded shaft. The connecting formation may be in the nature of a rotating abutment or a rotating nut.

Preferably, the clamp is counter-sunk in a face of the kneerest. The counter-sunk face of the kneerest is preferably the upper face of the kneerest, but it may be the lower face of the kneerest if desired.

The apparatus may be one in which the footrest is a platform device. Other types of footrest may be employed.

Preferably, the footrest has an inclined face on which the person's feet rest, the inclined face being such that it faces the person during the use of the apparatus. If desired, the footrest may have a flat upper face.

The footrest, for example the platform device, may have markings for indicating where the person's feet are to rest. Alternatively, the footrest, for example the platform device, may be plain with no markings.

The apparatus may be one in which the kneerest is a platform device. Other types of kneerest may be employed. The underside of the kneerest may be provided with padding. The padding may be made of a plastics foam material. The plastics foam material may be covered by, for example, a sheet covering.

The footrest and the kneerest may be moulded from a plastics material. They may thus easily be formed, and light in weight. Heavier materials including wood and metals may be employed if desired.

The length of stretchable material may be a tube or a band. The tube will usually be of circular cross section. The tube may be a hollow tube or a tube which is solid in cross section.

The length of stretchable material may be a length of an elastic material, or a length of a rubber material, or a length of a stretchable plastics material. Other types of stretchable materials may be employed including lengths of material that include one or more coil springs, for example made of a metal or a plastics material. Generally, the stretchable material employed needs to be such that when it is stretched it requires effort from the person's calves in order to cause the person to exercise their calves, and the length of stretchable material needs to go back to a substantially non-stretched condition when it not being stretched for the purpose of exercising the person's calves.

Preferably, the length of stretchable material has an outer surface which facilitates a smooth and easy passage of the length of stretchable material through parts of the apparatus. Thus, for example, the outer surface of the length of stretchable material may have a smooth and/or polished and/or coated outer surface.

The fastener means enables the length of stretchable material to be adjustable to vary the distance between the footrest and the kneerest. This allows the length of stretchable material to be adjustable for different sizes of persons, for example youths and adults. The various different sizes of persons may have different lengths between the top of their knees and the balls of their feet. Also, by providing a facility in which the length of stretchable material is adjustable, then the length of stretchable material can be varied by a single user to provide more or less work for their calves. Generally, the longer the length of flexible material, the easier it will be to do the calf exercises. Conversely, the shorter the length of flexible material, then the more difficult it will be to do the calf exercises.

Additionally or alternatively, the fastener means may be one which comprises an inlet aperture in the kneerest and an outlet aperture in the kneerest, and in which the length of stretchable material passes through the inlet aperture and returns through the outlet aperture.

Additionally or alternatively, the fastener means may include a clasp to clasp the length of stretchable material to itself. The clasp may be such that it enables adjustment of the length of the stretchable material in the same manner as a seatbelt in a car or aircraft.

The apparatus of the present invention may include roller means for facilitating a smooth and easy passage of the length of stretchable material through the apparatus. The roller means may be advantageous in cases where the outer surface of the length of flexible material causes unwanted friction as the length of flexible material passes through parts of the apparatus.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the apparatus in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view like FIG. 1 but shows the apparatus without the person's legs;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a footrest part of the apparatus from above, the rear and one side;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the footrest as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the footrest as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the footrest as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an underneath view of the footrest as shown in FIG. 3 but without rollers for a length of stretchable material;

FIG. 8 is an underneath perspective view of the footrest as shown in FIG. 3 and including rollers for the length of stretchable material;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view from above, behind and one side of the kneerest shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the kneerest as shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the kneerest as shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the kneerest as shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is an underneath perspective view of the kneerest as shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a cross section through the kneerest as shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 shows a screw and abutment member forming part of fastener means, which itself forms part of the kneerest shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the fastener means as shown in FIG. 9, the fastener means being in a non-gripping position;

FIG. 17 is a view like FIG. 16 but shows the fastener means in a gripping position;

FIG. 18 is a top view like FIG. 16 but with a cover plate removed in order to reveal the internal construction of the fastener means;

FIG. 19 is a top view like FIG. 17 but with the top cover again removed to show the inner workings of the fastener means;

FIG. 20 illustrates the position of the fastener means and the length of stretchable material when the fastener means is in a non-gripping condition;

FIG. 21 is like FIG. 20 but shows the position of the fastener means when it is gripping the length of stretchable material;

FIG. 22 is an end perspective view of the fastener means as shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a fixed nut part of the fastener means as shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a top view of the fastener means as shown in FIG. 19 but without the mounting plate;

FIGS. 25-29 show various parts of the fastener means as shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 30 is an underneath perspective view of a lower plate forming part of the kneerest, and illustrates in particular the provision of anchor means for receiving one end of the length of stretchable material;

FIG. 31 is a side view of the plate shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is an end view of the plate shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 illustrates the connection of one end of the length of stretchable material to the anchor means shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 34 is a side view of the end of the length of stretchable material shown in FIG. 33; and

FIG. 35 shows the entire length of stretchable material shown in FIGS. 33 and 34.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown apparatus 2 for use in exercising a person's calves 4. The apparatus 2 comprises a footrest 6, a kneerest 8, and a length of stretchable material 10 extending between the footrest 6 and the kneerest 8.

The apparatus 2 is such that in use and with the person 12 in a seated position, then the front part 14 of the person's feet 16 rests on the footrest 6 to retain the footrest 6 on a floor 18. The kneerest 8 rests on the person's knees 20. The length of stretchable material 10 is stretched when the person 12 pivots the rear part 22 of their feet upwardly with respect to the footrest 6. The length of stretchable material 10 contracts when the person 12 pivots the rear part 22 of their feet 16 downwardly with respect to the footrest 6. The stretching of the length of stretchable material 10 requires effort from the person's calves 4, which thereby exercises the person's calves 4.

The footrest 6 is a platform device. The footrest 6 has an inclined face 24 on which the person's feet 16 rest. The inclined face 24 is such that it faces the person 12 during use of the apparatus 2.

The footrest 6 has markings 26 for indicating where the person's feet 16 are to rest. As shown in FIG. 2, the markings 26 are circular markings.

The length of stretchable material 10 is a tube. The tube is of solid cross sectional shape. The length of stretchable material 10 is a length of an elastic material. The length of stretchable material 10 may alternatively be a length of rubber material. The length of stretchable material 10 preferably has a smooth polished outer surface for keeping friction to a minimum as the length of stretchable material 10 passes through the apparatus 2.

The length of stretchable material 10 is adjustable to vary the distance between the footrest 6 and the kneerest 8.

The apparatus 2 includes fastener means 28 for fastening the length of stretchable material 10 such that, prior to use, the length of stretchable material 10 provides a fixed distance between the footrest 6 and the kneerest 8. This fixed distance is that distance required by the person to provide the required effort during use of the apparatus when the person is pivoting the rear part 22 of their feet 16 upwardly with respect to the footrest 6.

The fastener means 28 comprises an inlet aperture 30 in the kneerest 8, and an outlet aperture 32 in the kneerest 8. The length of stretchable material 10 has a free end 34 which passes through the inlet aperture 30 and returns through the outlet aperture 32.

The fastener means 28 also comprises a clamp 36. The clamp 36 is secured to the kneerest 8. The clamp 36 clamps the length of stretchable material 10 to the kneerest 8.

FIGS. 3-8 show the construction of the footrest 6. As can be seen, the footrest 6 comprises a platform member 38 mounted on a pair of tubular legs 40. The legs 40 have feet 42. The platform member 38 is inclined with respect to the feet 42 in order to provide the inclined face 24 which faces the person 12 during use of the apparatus 2.

The underneath of the footrest 6 is provided with a formation 44 which has part of the inlet aperture 30 and part of the outlet aperture 32. Both the inlet aperture 30 and the outlet aperture 32 are of square cross section in the formation 44. However, when a plate 46 forming part of the fastener means 28 is secured in a rebate 48 in the inclined face 24, then the inlet aperture 30 remains square but the outlet aperture 32 becomes circular due to the plate 46 having a circular formation for the outlet aperture 32. FIG. 7 shows how the formation 44 includes two recesses 49 for receiving two rollers 51. The length of stretchable material 10 passes underneath the two rollers 51.

FIGS. 9-15 show parts of the kneerest 8, with FIGS. 9, 12, 14 and 15 illustrating parts of the fastener means 28. FIG. 14 shows the cross sectional shape of the kneerest 8 across its centre, and illustrates how there is a recessed part 50 for accommodating much of the working mechanism of the clamp 36 which forms part of the fastener means 28. FIG. 15 shows how the clamp 36 comprises a screw threaded shaft 52 which is screwed in and out by a handle 54. The inner end 56 of the shaft 52 is provided with an abutment 58. The abutment has a dome 60.

FIGS. 16-19 show the internal mechanism 62 of the clamp 36. It will be seen that the shaft 52 is able to cause a locking bar 64 to move up and down a pair of guide tubes 66. The guide tubes 66 are secured to a support part 68. The abutment 58 is able to rotate in a slot 70 in the locking bar 64 to move the locking bar 64 up and down the guide tubes 66 as can be appreciated from a comparison of FIGS. 18 and 19.

FIGS. 20-29 show the clamp 36, and how it is constructed and operates against the length of stretchable material 10. FIG. 20 illustrates how the length of stretchable material 10 looks before being clamped by the clamp 36. FIG. 21 illustrates how the length of stretchable material 10 looks after being clamped by the clamp 36. FIG. 22 shows how the clamp 36 is able to force the bar 68 against the length of stretchable material 10. FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate how the shank 52 passes through a nut 72 which is captive in a downturned part 74 of the plate 46. In FIG. 22, the plate 46 has been turned upsidedown in order to show what would normally be underneath the plate 46.

FIGS. 30-32 show the underneath of a plate 76 which forms the underneath face of the kneerest 8. The plate 76 has the inlet aperture 30 and the outlet aperture 32. In addition, the plate 76 has anchor means in the form of a downwardly projecting triangular anchor 78. The anchor 78 has an aperture 80 which receives a hook fastener 82 as shown in FIGS. 33-35. The hook fastener 82 has a pivotable closure bar 84 which enables the hook fastener 82 to be secured safely to the anchor 78. The hook fastener 82 is secured to an end 86 of the length of stretchable material 10. The end 86 is opposite the end 34 shown in FIG. 2.

The apparatus 2 is both small and light. Parts of the apparatus 2 may be moulded from one or more plastics materials. The apparatus 2 can easily be stored, for example in a drawer or cupboard. The small and light construction of the apparatus 2 also makes it ideal for sale by mail order. The apparatus 2 is easily cleaned. The apparatus 2 does not require a dedicated seat. The person 12 may sit on any chair, for example a kitchen chair, a dining room chair, or an office chair. The clamp 36 is positioned such that it is easy to use by the person 12. The clamp 36 secures the length of the stretchable material 10 in a secure manner and such that the length of material 10 does not slip with respect to the clamp 10.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the peripheral shape of the footrest 6 and the kneerest 8 may be varied. The underside of the kneerest 8 may be provided with padding. Other constructions for the clamp 36 may be employed. One single roller 51 may be employed instead of the two rollers 51 shown in FIG. 8. Other types of lengths of stretchable material 10 may be employed, with the length of stretchable material 10 being of any suitable and appropriate construction. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention. 

1. Apparatus for use in exercising a person's calves, which apparatus comprises a footrest, a kneerest, a length of stretchable material extending between the footrest and the kneerest, and fastener means for fastening the length of stretchable material, and the apparatus being such that: (i) in use and with the person in a seated position then the front part of the person's feet rests on the footrest to retain the footrest on a floor, the kneerest rests on the person's knees, the length of stretchable material is stretched when the person pivots the rear part of their feet upwardly with respect to the footrest, the length of stretchable material contracts when the person pivots the rear part of their feet downwardly with respect to the footrest, and the stretching of the length of stretchable material requires effort from the person's calves which thereby exercises the person's calves; (ii) the fastener means fastens the length of stretchable material such that prior to use the length of stretchable material provides a fixed distance between the footrest and the kneerest, the fixed distance being that distance required by the person to provide the required effort during use of the apparatus when the person is pivoting the rear part of their feet upwardly with respect to the footrest; (iii) the fastener means comprises a clamp; (iv) the clamp is secured to the kneerest; and (v) the clamp comprises a clamping bar, a pair of guide rods on which the clamping bar slides, a handle, and a screw threaded shaft which is connected to the clamping bar and the handle such that rotation of the handle one way causes the clamping bar to clamp the length of stretchable material with respect to the kneerest, and rotation of the handle the opposite way causes the clamping bar to unclamp the length of stretchable material.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the clamp comprises a base member, in which the guide rods extend from the base member towards the handle, and in which the clamping bar clamps the length of stretchable material between the clamping bar and the base member.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the screw threaded shaft is connected to the clamping bar by a connecting formation which is mounted at an end of the screw threaded shaft remote from the handle, and which rotates with respect to the screw threaded shaft.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the clamp is counter-sunk in a face of the kneerest.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the foot rest is a platform device.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the footrest has an inclined face on which the person's feet rest, the inclined face being such that it faces the person during the use of the apparatus.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the footrest has markings for indicating where the person's feet are to rest.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the kneerest is a platform device.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the length of stretchable material is a tube or a band.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the length of stretchable material is a length of an elastic material, a length of a rubber material, or a length of a stretchable plastics material.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the length of stretchable material has a smooth and/or polished and/or coated outer surface.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the length of stretchable material is adjustable to vary the distance between the footrest and the kneerest.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the fastener means comprises an inlet aperture in the kneerest and an outlet aperture in the kneerest, and in which the length of stretchable material passes through the inlet aperture and returns through the outlet aperture.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the fastener means includes a clasp to clasp the length of stretchable material to itself.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including roller means for facilitating a smooth and easy passage of the length of stretchable material through the apparatus. 